An ironing monkey musical automaton, by Phalibois, circa 1880, the key-wind motor for monkey automaton, with painted papier-mâché head, leather jaw and painted teeth, moving eyes, dressed as a parlour maid in (faded) red dress with white lace fringes and apron trim, matching bonnet with red bow, moving right arm with held iron, the left arm stretching a collar and standing before a table within naturalistic scene, beneath silk floral arch of leaves and rose buds, supported on both sides by moss-laden tree trunks, further floral detail to foot of trunks, all with rocky surmount bases, the ebonised base with shaped profile, start/stop and change/repeat pulls beside pull-string and key, under original glass dome, with retailer's stamp to the rear, name indistinct, but address given as 53, Mile End Road. 69cm (27in) Although not illustrated in Automata - The Golden Age, 148-1914, C. Bailey, this model is similar in movement positions and proportions, to the Monkey Smoker - pp.157The monkey is not currently moving, though the pull chord music is working. We think there has been repainting and refurbishment to the scenery, figure's clothing and general setting.